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Tom Reed,who previously covered the Blue Jackets for The Dispatch, is back after a five-year absence while working for the newspaper in that city up north: Cleveland. Follow him on Twitter at @treed1919

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10 Days To Go

Posted Sep 27, 2011
by Aaron Portzline

After seven roster cuts on Tuesday, the Blue Jackets are getting down to the nitty-gritty. The 26 cuts made so far in camp have been relatively easy, no real surprises. There are eight days until NHL rosters must be set and 10 days before the Blue Jackets drop the puck on the 2011-12 season.

What follows below is how we, at Puck-rakers, see the Blue Jackets roster settling into place for the start of the season. The "locks" and "injured" are listed alphabetically, while the "leaning in" and "leaning out" categories are listed by ranking, based on well-informed speculation:

Summary: Johansen looks like he's earned a spot on the opening roster anyway, but if MacKenzie isn't healthy by opening night, you can write the kid's name in today. Has he been great? No, not great. But he hasn't been overwhelmed, either. They will ease him along, but it might be time to ask for No. 19. ... Calvert's injury is not expected to keep him out too much longer. ... Kubalik appeared to be in the driver's seat early in camp - even ahead of Johansen - but his concussion sidetracked him. He's ready to go now, but if he takes a while to get up to speed, Springfield could be his destination, if only temporarily. ... Mayorov has looked very sharp and shown a scorer's touch. But he was only OK in his last exhibition game. One thing he can't bring to the table is size. If the coaches think they need size in the bottom six, Mayorov could get bumped. ... If MacKenzie can't play, Johansen, Mayorov and Kubalik could all make it. Or would they seek an older player to avoid bring three youngsters into the lineup at once. ... Cam Atkinson has earned a very long look. Hope for a third scoring line rests right here. ... Giroux, St. Pierre and Russell all need to clear waivers.

Summary: The eight-game suspension to Wisniewski at the start of the season means two spots are up for grabs. Burning question: will they pick two of the three rookies - Holden, Moore or Savard - or one rookie and journeyman veteran Aaron Johnson. The club is still trying to get an answer, hoping one or two of that group begins to pull away. ... Grant Clitsome is likely to move up to the No. 1 pair with Tyutin. Arniel likes his pairs to be on the same power play unit, and Clitsome's shot is the only one back there that's close to Wisniewski's. ... While Clitsome elevation leaves the No. 2 pairing - Methot and Martinek -- together, it throws the third pair wide open. ... Russell has not had a great camp. No matter whom you pair him among those "leaning in" and "leaning out" candidates, it doesn't feel like an effective pair. ... Holden and Johnson both have to clear waivers, which can weigh heavily in decisions this time of year. ... Wisniewski's shot will be missed, especially on the power play. Savard has the best skill set of that "leaners", so maybe that gives him the nod. ... Moore has been only so-so this camp. He's probably targeted for another year in the AHL.

GOALTENDER (3)

Locks: Steve Mason, Curtis Sanford

Injured: Mark Dekanich (high-ankle sprain).

Summary: Mason has looked good in training camp. If he hadn't, the vibes on Nationwide Blvd. would be far different right now. Still early, but he looks good. ... Sanford was hardly to blame for the 6-1 debacle in Winnipeg during the season opener. Still, the club was relieved to see him play very well in Washington on Monday. He's likely the back-up until Dekanich gets healthy, which could be one month or three. That's the nature of high-ankle sprains. ... GM Scott Howson did not rule out a waiver wire claim or other means to acquire a goaltender. But for now, it's Sanford's spot.

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